Everyone in life had has a to get through a difficult situation. How we get through that can define our life and how we view it. These events are the stories that make up our life, and while some look for outside help, a lot of people will try and handle it on their own. Why would I be talking about such things in a review for a movie you might ask? Well I ‘invite’ you to check out the answer.
Will (Logan Marshall-Green) lost his son after an accident a few years ago. Both he and his ex wife Eden (Tammy Blanchard) have moved on, and both with new partners. Tammy’s husband David (Michiel Huisman) has invited Will and his girlfriend Kira (Emayatzy Corinealdi) to a dinner, along with some other mutual friends. Will does not really want to go, as the house they are going to will be where the accident occurred. Once Will arrives, he finds most of the invited guests are already there and sharing a rather expensive bottle of wine. While it looks like a group of old friends reuniting Will has his suspicions to the real reason for the get together. As the night unfolds, Tammy and David’s real intentions are discovered, and soon everyone’s life will change because of it.
When going to your local theater you have a lot of choices to choose from, but few will end up being the find that is “The Invitation”. Written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, who based on their past endeavors would make you question my statement above. Unlike some of their past work, “The Invitation” is a gem waiting to be discovered, and then shown off to all the people you know. The story is simple and while it starts off slow the drama builds like a pot of boiling water, with the end being the whistle that lets you know you have reached the boiling point. Director Karyn Kusama (Girlfight) does a wonderful job of letting the actors move the story, as almost the entire film takes place in one location. Even when you think you know where it’s going, the film has enough turns to throw you off on what you think you know. It’s a joy to find films like this, films that make you think and grab onto things tightly as the story unfolds in front of you. With a good story, great acting, and all the suspense you can handle, this is one invitation you don’t want to refuse.
